Jaguar F-type gets all-wheel drive and manual options

Further expansion of Jaguar F-type range expected to include more special editions...

Jim Holder

24 February 2015

The Jaguar F-type will be offered with the options of all-wheel-drive and a manual gearbox for the first time, it has been revealed at the Los Angeles motor show.

Jaguar F-type manual gearbox

The new six-speed manual gearbox will only be available with the F-type’s supercharged V6 engine in both 335bhp and 375bhp forms. The gearlever is said to have a throw of just 45mm and 'closely spaced ratios' for a sporty feel. The F-type’s centre console has been reshaped to allow the driver’s arm the maximum amount of free movement.

A V8 version with the manual gearbox is possible, but not likely, with chief programme engineer Russ Varney saying: 'The V8 is ferociously quick, and putting that much power through a manual gearbox presents problems. The V6 is simply better suited to it. We have risen to similar challenges before, so I'd say 'never say never' - it could be done, but there are no plans.'

Jaguar F-type all-wheel drive

Jaguar is also adding an all-wheel-drive F-type to the range, in both the coupe and the convertible models. In top-end R form, the AWD coupe F-type gets from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds - an improvement of 0.2sec on the standard rear-wheel-drive car - while reaching the same 186mph top speed.

Jaguar F-type R convertible

The expanded F-type range will include the current standard, S and R-badged models in both coupe and convertible forms, with the convertible getting the V8 R model for the first time. It matches the coupe's 3.9sec 0-60mph time despite the increased weight of the folding roof.

More Jaguar F-type models on the way

Jaguar is planning on offering more versions of the F-type in the future.

'We are committed to broadening the appeal of the Jaguar F-type in every way we think customers want it,' said Varney. 'With the Jaguar XK we were accused of not expanding the range far enough - that won’t be the case with the F-type.'

An F-type powered by a four-cylinder engine currently being developed under the Ingenium brand name is considered a certainty for launch in the next 12-18 months.

Varney said: 'There is clearly a demand for efficiency, although it’s also clear that customers don’t want to lose any performance, either. If we can deliver both, I don’t think the configuration of the engine is something the customer will be worried by.'

Jaguar is expected to explore more limited edition F-type models, in the same vein as the Jaguar F-type Project Seven.

The 2016 F-type will also switch to electrically assisted power steering from hydraulic assistance, a first for a Jaguar. The company says the new system is the first that, its engineers feel, outperforms its existing steering systems. It is also responsible for a CO2 reduction of 4g/km.

Pricing

The entry-level manual V6 F-type will cost £58,535 and the 375bhp version £65,735. The updated range goes on sale in spring 2015.